Hat cleaning machine



Sept. 14, 1937. c. A. CHENIER HAT CLEANING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 3, 1934 liusniar EIIBPLEE .Lheniar fiw fli

Sept. 14, 1937.

C. A. CHENIER HAT CLEANING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1934 I i EhEPL g 7Ej 7 HiEF Patented Sept. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application December 3, 1934, Serial No. 755,818 In Canada March 26, 1934 Claims.

This invention relates to hat cleaning machines and an object of the invention is to provide a compact structure within which a hat may be thoroughly cleaned, deodorized and dried in a 5 very simple operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can take care of a large number of hats in a short time, wherein a hat is cleaned and dried in two operations substantially continuous from the start to the finish.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the cleaning fluid can be used over again.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists essentially in a casing formed at least with one compartment to house a hat carrying member or members with the provision of means to introduce a body of cleaning fluid into the compartment to submerge the hat carrying member, means for actuating the hat carrying member or members whereby a hat carried by said member maybe set in motion within said fluid, and means for withdrawing the fluid whereby the hat carrying member may be set in motion to remove moisture, deodorize and dry a hat, previously cleaned. The apparatus includes air circulating means for the drying operation and, preferably, a series of brushes in the hat cleaning compartment to contact with the hat during its movement within the cleaning fluid, although brushes may be omitted from the construction if desired, as more fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional elevation of one form the apparatus may take according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the same apparatus illustrating the brushes disengaged from the hat mounted on the hat carrying member.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation illustrating an alternative form of apparatus.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective detail of a detachable connection for the apparatus.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of the detachable connection as engaged.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing one hat carrying member mounted on the holding arm, and,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation illustrating a modified form of base for the hat cleaning compartment.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation ofa hat form,

which may be employed in the apparatus.

' Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, A indicates the device as a whole, which comprises a casing Ill that may be formed with three compartments, a hat cleaning compartment B, a compartment C for operating mechanism and a third compartmentD for cleaning fluid and a clarifying solution for the cleaning fluid. It is pointed out, however, that the compartment C for the operating mechanism and the compartment D for the cleaning fluid need not necessarily be included in the casing as they might be otherwise positioned. However, it is preferable to provide an apparatus as illustrated in the drawings to provide a very compact and efficient unit.

Within the casing to is mounted a vertically disposed shaft I l which extends through the compartment 0 for the operating mechanism and terminates within the cleaning compartment B. This shaft is journalled in suitable bearings l3 and I4, the latter being mounted on the partition l5 between compartment 0 and compartment B. The shaft II is designed to carry on its lower free end a hat carrying member or block IS, the end of the shaft being provided with a flat shank I! to receive the bifurcated fitting [8 of a hat forming member which pivotally connects with the shank I! as at l9 and may be locked rigidly with the shank by means of a suitable catch member or pin such as 20. In I this way the hat forming member can be either locked with the shaft in the position shown in Figure 1 or may be swung away from the shaft for purposes hereinafter described Below the hat forming member and within the compartment B is positioned a basin or the like 2i into which cleaning fluid may be introduced which is to be filled intothe compartment to a depth sufficient to cover a hat placed on the forming member, it being preferable to make the basin 2i of a bowl-like structure, as illustrated in Figure 1, to limit the amount offluid necessary to cover a hat on the forming member and in this instance the basin might be formed as indicated at 22 in Figure 7 conforming somewhat to the shape of the hat forming member and apparatus associated therewith so that less fluid would be necessary for the purpose of completely covering the hat than would be the case if a straight, flat bottom basin were used.

For the purpose of very efiicient cleaning I employ a series of brushes within the compartment B to contact with the hat during the cleaning operation. These brushes may be mounted in any suitable way so as to contact with the hat during the cleaning operation, with provision for the disengaging of the brushes from the hat when desired, which will now be described, another form of arrangement without brushes being described later on.

According to one form of apparatus, I provide a sleeve 23 surrounding the shaft I through which extend the symmetrical arms 24 and 25. These arms may extend downwardly so that their ends connect with a brush 2E and the brushes 2? and 28 or may be formed of a shorter length to connect with extensions 24a through the disengageable connection 2511. This is one form of connection which may be employed and is more particularly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, one end of the arms 24 and 25 being gradually increased in width to fit within a guideway 25b in the connection 25a, it being only necessary to lift the connection 25a up over the end of the arms 24 and 25 until the arms will slip into the guideway 25b when the connection 25a is then slid downwardly and a suitable bolt 241) looks the extensions 24a and arms 24 and 25 together. Any other suitable form of disengageable connection, however, may be employed.

The brush 25 as shown is of a general contour that will engage with the crown and brim of a hat while the brushes 21 and 28 are designed to contact with one side of the brim opposite to that taken care of by the brush 25. The brushes 2'! and 28 are pivotally mounted as at 29 on the extensions 24a or on the arms 24 and 25 themselves if extensions are not employed. These brushes lie directly over a horizontal brim, contacting portions of the brush 26, the brushes 2! and 28 being also connected with symmetrical arms of a fitting 3B which is loosely mounted on the shaft. below a collar 3| that is rigidly connected to the shaft. The arms of the fitting 35 pivotally connect with the brushes 2| and 28 by means of a pin and slot arrangement 32. The fitting 36 is preferably mounted on the shaft through a detachable connection 30a so that,

when desirable, the fitting 3|! may be disengaged from the shaft Thus, the brushes as a unit may be removed from the apparatus.

Ordinarily the sleeve 23 is held against rotation, that is when the brushes are in engagement with a hat. This is accomplished through a notch in one end of the sleeve that engages with a lug 33 projecting from the bearing l4. Thus, the main shaft may revolve, rotating the hat form or block l6 and the carried hat within the cleaning fluid in compartment B and with the hat in engagement with the brushes 26, 2'! and 28. When itis desired, however, to disengage the hat from the brushes, the sleeve 23 may be moved vertically downward. This will cause the arms 24 and 25 to move downwardly and disengage brush 26 from the bottom portion of the hat. At the same time, in view of the fact that the arms of the fitting 30 are stationary, the brushes 2'! and 28 will pivot as at 29 and thus all the brushes will be disengaged from the hat as shown clearly in Figure 2.

The movement of the sleeve may be governed by any suitable mechanism such as the flanges 34 carried thereby which may be engaged by a pin 35 forming part of a crank carried on the shaft 35 which is actuated by the handle 31.

When the brushes are disengaged from a hat after a cleaning operation, removal of moisture and the drying is effected by rotating the hat free from the brushes and, at the same time, the brushes should be set in motion so as to dry them thoroughly. The brushes are set in motion similarly to the hat carrying member when the sleeve 23 has been moved to its lower position by reason of the fact that a notch 38 is formed in the lower portion of the sleeve to engage a corresponding lug 39 formed on the collar 3| which is rigidly engaged with the shaft Therefore, as soon as engagement takes place between the notch 38 and lug 39, the sleeve 23 will be locked in engagement with the shaft H. Consequently, the brushes carried through this sleeve must rotate.

For some hats, particularly ladies hats, it is not desirable to employ brushes and to take care of this type of hat I remove the brushes in the manner previously referred to and also remove the hat carrying member I6, substituting either a unit such as illustrated in Figure 3 which includes arms 45, ring 4| which carries a plurality of hat forms 43, or individual hat forms 44 (see Figure 6) which are mounted from an arm 45, two of these forms being used and mounted through a connecting member 25a on the arms 24 and 25. When either of these arrangements is used, the hats are set in motion in a different manner, as will be described in connection with the general drive of the apparatus.

For the purpose of making it only necessary to use a minimum amount of fluid, I may also employ filling members to co-operate with the basin 2|. These may be in the form of a plurality of co-operating solid sections 46 which may be fitted together within the hat cleaning compartment and mounted on the basin 2| to extend upwardly to a considerable extent in the compartment, as shown in Figure 3, the sections being grooved as at 41 to permit the draining of the cleaning fluid. Similar filling members may be employed, such as the case where the basin 2| is formed with a straight base that merges with the side walls of the cleaning compartment, such sections being of a character to provide a rounded type of basin.

The cleaning fluid is carried within the compartment D. This fluid is carried in the lower part of the compartment as indicated at 48 and a body of the cleansing liquid for the cleaning fluid is carried within compartment D at 49, the cleansing liquid being of a character that will not mix with the cleaning fluid and therefore floats on top.

Between the compartment B and the compartment D a partition 50 is positioned, this being in the form of a perforated plate. A pipe line 5| connects with the bottom of the compartment D through which the cleaning fluid may be withdrawn. This connects with a main pipe line 52 and extends to the compartment B, a small pump 53 being positioned in the main pipe line 52 for pumping the cleaning fluid from the compartment D to the compartment B.

From the basin or bowl 2| in compartment B a drain line 54 extends, communicating with a suitable filtering apparatus or screening arrangement as indicated generally at 55 which in turn.

communicates with the bottom portion of the compartment B through the pipe line 56. Thus the cleaning fluid drained from the basin 2| in compartment B is flowed over the perforated partition 50 and drops through the perforations over the whole area of the partition into compartment D, passing through the cleansing liquid in the top of the compartment D and. re-

turning to the bottom of this compartment, for use again, the impurities having been taken out by the cleansing liquid 49. A suitable pipe line 51 may extend between the bottom portion of the compartment D positioned above the pipe 5i and connecting with the main pipe line 52 so that the cleaning fluid may be taken out through pipe line 51 or pipe line 5|, the former being only employed, however, when the level of the cleaning fluid is above the outlet to pipe 51 A suitable shut oif valve 58 and a similar valve 59 are positioned respectively in the pipe lines 5! and 5'! so that the fiow can be readily controlled. Similarly a valve 60 is incorporated in the main pipe line 52, while similar valves BI and 62 are also employed in the system, the former in the drain line 54 and the latter in a connecting pipe between the main line 52 and the filter or screening apparatus 55. If, after a continual use of the cleaning fluid, it becomes at all murky, the operator can provide for a continual cleansing while operating, by shutting oif valve 60 in the main pipe line and opening a valve 62 so that the cleaning fluid would be pumped through the pipe line 5|, main line 52, and thence through the filtering or screening device 55 and passed back through the partition through the cleansing liquid and into the base of the compartment D. This operation can be kept up in a continuous cycle, and thus a thorough cleansing of the cleaning fluid is provided for within.

On the main pipe line 52 and also in the connection from the filter or screening apparatus, a glass sight 63 and 64 respectively is provided so that the operator readilymay discern whether the cleaning fluid passing either of these points is in proper condition. Furthermore, an overflow pipe 65 may be provided, communicating with the compartment B above the basin 2| and with the lower portion of the compartment B below the basin so that if too much cleaning fluid is introduced to compartment B it will flow back through the overflow 65 and would be conveyed through the partition 50 back into the main reservoir. Also provided in the apparatus are suitable outlet members 66 and 61 communicating with the compartment D. The cleaning fluid may be drawn ofi through the outlet 67 while the cleansing liquid may be withdrawn from the compartment D by the outlet 65 when the level of the cleaning fluid has been dropped so that the cleansing liquid will be positioned in an area to correspond with the outlet 66.

The main shaft II, which is rotated to set the hats in motion in either type of cleaning operation, that is with or without brushes, is operated in the first case by a motor 68 and in the second case both by motor 68 and motor 69. These motors are positioned within the compartment 0. Of course, it is to be understood that the illustration of these motors constitutes a showing of a form of drive, it being understood that any other suitable arrangement may be employed to obtain the desired efiect.

When brushes are used in the apparatus, the motor 68 alone is used, this motor being con nected to the shaft H by means of a belt Ill. A suitable switch control for this motor is indicated at H which may be set to operate the motor at a high or low rate of speed to correspond with the positions of the sleeve 23 on the shaft I I. For instance, when the sleeve is in its uppermost position, the switch will "be operated to rotate the shaft slowly, thus to rotate the hat carrying member [6 within the cleaning fluid and cause the hat to rotate relatively to the brushes which, are held stationary. When, how ever, the operating member 31 has been moved so that the sleeve 23 is in its lowermost position, as indicated in Figure 2, the switch operating member H is thrown to a second position so that the shaft will be rotated at a higher rate of speed, which will provide for the removal of the moisture from the hat and brushes during the drying operation. The switch operating member H will, of course, be thrown toa neutral position when the sleeve is being moved between its uppermost or lowermost position.

In the case where the brushes and hat carrying member are removed and replaced by a unit such as illustrated in Figure 3 or unit such as illustrated in Figure 6, the cleaning operation is effected through oscillating thesemembers in the cleaning fluid. In this connection, the sleeve 23, it will be noted, is moved to its lowermost position in driving connection with the shaft II and the connecting arm I2 of motor 69, which is disengaged when motor 68 is beingused, is connected to the collar 13 mounted on the upper part of shaft ll. Therefore, when the motor 59 is set in operation, the hat carrying members, now in driving connection with the shaft, will be oscillated within the cleaning fluid. When this cleaning operation is completed, the connecting rod 72 is disengaged from the collar 13 and motor 68 is operated at its higher speed by throwing the switch operating member II to this position. In this way drying operation is effected.- It will be obvious, however, that either mode of cleaning might be performed by separate, apparatus, in which case the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 might be formed without the extensions 24a providing for the removal of the brushes, while in the case ofthe apparatus illustrated in Figures 3 and 6 it would be unnecessary to employ a sleeve 23 in view of the fact that the hat carrying members are rotated during the cleaning or dryingoperation and it is not necessary to provide for holding any of the members stationary.

For, the drying operation an inlet opening 14 is provided in the casing l0 communicating with compartment B. This is designed to' be closed by a suitable closure member which, in the case of a separate apparatus employing brushes alone, might readily be controlled from the shaft 36 so that the opening would be completely covered when the apparatus is in theposition illustrated in Figure 1, whereas the closure member would be open when the apparatus isin the position illustrated in Figure 2 to permit air' to circulate in the compartment B during the drying operation. In either case, however, that is in the case of an apparatus employing brushes or one which does not employ brushes, the opening 14 can be manually controlled.

To promote air circulation within the compartment B a suitable fan 15 is positioned in compartment C and connected with the main shaft H, the fan having an outlet to the atmosphere, as indicated at 76, and being in communication with compartment B through the opening 11 in partition l5. Thus, during the drying operation the fan 75 would induce a flow of air through compartment B, drawing the air through the inlet 14. Thus, in the case of the apparatus employing brushes, as in the case of- Figures 1 and 2, both brushes and hat carrying member are rotated at fast speed in a continuously flowing current of air, while in the case of apparatus of the type shown in Figure 3 the hat carrying members alone are rotated in such air current so that rapid drying is readily provided for.

When the cleaning fluid has been withdrawn from compartment B and, in the case of apparatus such as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the brushes have been disengaged from the hat, the hat carrying member or members as well as the brushes (in the case of apparatus employing brushes) are rotated at a comparatively high rate of speed, as previously indicated. With this operation the cleaning fluid with which the hat is impregnated is forcibly extracted by centrifugal action, the extracted moisture flying outwardly within the compartment and returning through the drainage outlet to the cleaning fluid reservoir. With this action it is clear that all the moisture within the hat is extracted so that the hat will be readily and thoroughly dried by the air circulating through the compartment while, owing to the fact that this moisture (residual cleaning fluid) is extracted, the hat is completely deodorized.

With the completion of i the drying operation, therefore, the hat is left in the most desirable condition possible since through the operations that have been followed the hat is thoroughly cleaned, the moisture is completely extracted, the hat is deodorized and then dried, all these operations being performed while the hat is on the form. It will be apparent, therefore, that I have provided a very efficient method since once the hat is placed on the form it goes through these various operations and is then taken cif the form in perfect condition.

A suitable opening 18 is provided in the casing H) to communicate with compartment B, which will permit the mounting and removal of the dif-'- ferent types of fittings according to whether or not it is desired to employ brushes. This opening also provides for placing a hat or hats on the hat carrying member or members and removal of the hat or hats therefrom.

In the case of an apparatus employing brushes, the hat carrying member It can be swung towards the door to permit mounting or removal since, upon removal of the pin 26 or other means employed for locking the hat carrying member rigidly on the shaft H, the form may be swung about its pivot H3 at right angles to its normal position, as shown in Figure 1. This will permit the operator to place a hat on the hat carrying member or remove one from it in a very simple operation. The pivot 59, of course, is preferably formed so that it can be readily removed when it is desired to eliminate the hat carrying member l6 and brushes so as to replace these fittings by fittings similar to those illustrated in Figures 3 and 6.

To complete the apparatus in a practical form, a suitable clean-out opening it may be provided in the lower portion of the compartment B, while a similar clean-out opening may be provided as at 8B in the lower portion of compartment D. The operation of the apparatus is fairly similar in each case.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 is as follows:The inlet 18 to compartment B is opened, the pin 20 or other device employed is released and the hat carrying member is swung towards the inlet. The hat is then placed on the form which is then swung back to its normal position and locked rigidly with the shaft I l With the inlet 18 closed the pump 53 is placed in operation to pump cleaning fluid into the compartment B to a level above that of the hat carried on the member I6, the valve 6| being closed to prevent the liquid from returning to the reservoir. The pump 53 is then stopped and the operating member 37 is then actuated to cause the sleeve 23 through the shaft 35 to move to its uppermost position from the position illustrated in Figure 2, so that the brush 26 will be moved into contact with the bottom of the hat, while the brushes 2'! and 28 will automatically be moved to engage with the other side of the brim of the hat and when the brushes have reached this position the sleeve 23 is locked against rotary movement and the control ii of the motor switch has been moved so that the shaft Ii commences to revolve slowly, thus. placing the hat carrying member in motion within the cleaning fluid and causing the hat to move within the fluid against the brushes to provide for an eflicient and thorough cleaning.

In this instance it is pointed out that while rotary motion is provided for in the form of apparatus shown, the motion might not be rotary since it could very well be reciprocatcry or an oscillating motion, as desired. When the hat has received sufficient cleaning, the valve 6! may be opened to allow the cleaning fluid to drain through the line 54 and filter or screening mechanism 5!: back into its original reservoir in compartment D, the fluid being cleansed as it passes through the body of cleansing liquid therein. When this has been drained, the operating memher 3? may be actuated again to move the sleeve 23 down to its lowermost position as shown in Figure 2 so as to lock the sleeve with th shaft, after the motor switch has been operated so that the shaft may be rotated to a high rate of speed and, as both the brushes and hat are revolved, the moisture is quickly forced from the hat and the brushes by centrifugal action, while the air circulating through the compartment B from the inlet M induced by the fan 75 effects a very rapid and thorough drying.

In the case of the apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 6, a similar operation takes place with the exception that, since no brushes are employed, the sleeve 23 always stays in its lowermost position locked in driving engagement with the shaft H. Assuming this to be the case, therefore, connecting rod 12 is placed in connection with collar 13 on shaft H so that motor 59 may be set into operation. This provides for the oscillation of the hats within the cleaning fluid. When the hats have been subjected to motion within the fluid for a sufficient length of time to clean them, motor 69 is stopped, the connecting rod 72 is disengaged from collar 13 and, after the fluid has been drained from compartment B, motor 58 is turned on at its higher rate of speed, whereupon the hat carrying members are revolved rapidly within compartment B to provide for extraction of the fluid remaining in the hats and their deodorization while the induced air circulation then provides for drying.

The hat forms employed may be of the typeslustrated in Figure 8 which have a movable section 8! carried on a sleeve-like member B2 designed to telescope on a suitable rod 83, the section 8| being held a maximum distance from a fixed section 84 by means of coil spring 85. Section 8|, therefore, is readily depressible to provide for ready mounting of hats on the forms and the spring pressure provides for a firm gripping of the hats.

As previously indicated, the basin 2| as shown 5 in Figure 1 is formed with rounded sides to provide for the use of less cleaning fluid than if it were provided with a flat bottom, while the basin might be formed such as illustrated at 22 in Figure 7, so that a minimum amount of fluid is necessary in a cleaning operation. This would provide against the necessity of having a comparatively large supply of cleaning fluid on hand in the reservoir.

The form of the apparatus which has been illustratedisofafairly practical type, being compact and providing for a complete cycle of operation in all respects within a single tank construction as indicated, but it is quite possible merely to employ a tank of one compartment and provide for a drive from an outside source as well as providing for a storage of the fluid in an outside tank. In this instance it is not entirely necessary that a cleaning fluid be employed in the tank as illustrated, since the cleaning fluid could be taken by pipe line to a receiving tank adapted to act as a storing tank or a still for distilling the fluid. In other words the cleansing of the cleaning fluid may be taken care of by any well known method for clarifying the fluid known to the trade.

Various modifications may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the claims, and therefore the exact forms shown are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense, and it is desired that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are disclosed in the prior art or are set forth 5 in the accompanying claims.

I claim: 1. In a hat cleaning machine comprising a casing enclosing a compartment, a rotatable hat carrying member within the compartment, a plurality of brushes within the compartment, means for introducing a quantity of cleaning fluid into and withdrawing it from the compartment, and

means for rotating the hat carrying member to rotate a hat carried thereby within the fluid, means for engaging and disengaging the brushes with the hat, means for maintaining the brushes against movement while in engagement with the ,50 hat, and means for forcing air through the compartment to dry the hat and brushes.

2. A hat cleaning machine comprising a casing, a shaft within the casing, a hat carrying member mounted on the shaft, a sleeve rotatable on the 55 shaft, arms connected to the sleeve, brushes carried by the arms, means for rotating the shaft, means for holding the brushes in contact with the hat and causing them to remain stationary while the hat rotates, and means for holding them out of contact with the hat and causing them to rotate 5 with the hat.

3. A hat cleaning machine comprising a casing, a shaft within the casing, a hat carrying member mounted on the shaft, a sleeve rotatable and axially movable on the shaft, arms connected to 10 the sleeve, brushes carried by the arms, means for causing the shaft to rotate, a stationary member and a member fixed to the shaft both in the path of axial travel of the sleeve but separated by a distance greater than the length of the sleeve, 15 connections between the last mentioned members and the sleeve, and means for holding the sleeve in engagement with the stationary member or with the member fixed on the shaft to cause the brushes to remain stationary or rotate with the 20 shaft.

4. A hat cleaning machine comprising a casing, a shaft within the casing, a hat carrying member mounted on the shaft, a sleeve rotatable and.

axially movable on the shaft, arms connected to 25 the sleeve, means for causing the shaft to rotate,

a stationary member and a member fixed to the shaft both in the path of axial travel of the sleeve but separated by a distance greater than the length of the sleeve, connections between the last 30 mentioned members and the sleeve, a brush for the crown and one side of the brim of a hat carried by the arms connected to the sleeve, brushes for the other side of the hat brim pivotally mounted on the arms, further arms carried 35 by the member fixed on the shaft, pin and slot connections between said further arms and the second mentioned brushes, means for holding the sleeve in engagement with the stationary member whereby to hold the brushes against rotation 46;"

and in contact with the hat or in engagement with the member fixed on the shaft whereby to move the brushes out of engagement with the hat and cause them to rotate with the shaft.

5. The method of cleaning and drying hats in 45 one operation which comprises submerging a hat in a cleaning fluid within an enclosure, rotating the hat in said fluid in contact with stationary cleaning means, removing the fluid from contact with the hat, increasing the speed of rotation of 50 the hat to extract the fluid therefrom centrifugally and forcing air through the enclosure in contact with the hat and While it is rotating at inv creased speed.

CHARLES A. CHENIER. 

